Arncliffe Girls’ Home, also known as The Nest Girls’ Home, was a Salvation Army Home for girls that opened in 1941 in the building that had been The Nest Children’s Home. The Nest Girls’ Home closed in 1969 and was converted to aged care.
The Nest Girls’ Home was in a building called Dappeto that was once an oyster merchants’ home, and the home of author Christina Stead’s stepmother.
The Home closed temporarily during World War II. On 25, 26 and 27 March 1942, 30 girls from The Nest, together with 44 girls from The Fold at Marrickville and three children from Bethesda Hospital, were transferred to Canowindra Girls’ Home (Lyndon House Girls’ Home). In January 1945 The Nest Girls’ Home re-opened, and sixteen girls were transferred back from Canowindra to Arncliffe.
Arncliffe Girls’ Home closed in January 1969 and the girls were transferred to the Stanmore Children’s Home (The Lodge Young Women’s Hostel). The building, Dappeto, was restored and redeveloped as an aged care home.
Arncliffe Girls’ Home was mentioned in the Lost Innocents Report (2001) as an institution involved in the migration of children to Australia.
From
1941
To
1969
Alternative Names
The Nest
The Nest Girls' Home
Dappeto
1930 - 1941
Arncliffe Girl's Home was situated at 171 Wollongong Road, Arncliffe, New South Wales (Building Still standing)
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